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Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Jude Law ... see more see more... , Ray Winstone , Christopher Lee , Emily Mortimer , Richard Griffiths , Helen McCrory , Frances De La Tour , Michael Stuhlbarg , Kevin Eldon , Gulliver McGrath , Shaun Aylward , Emil Lager , Angus Barnett , Edmund Kingsley , Max Wrottesley , Marco Aponte , Ilona Cheshire , Catherine Scorsese , Emily Surgent , Lily Carlson , Frederick Warder , Chrisos Lawson , Tomos James , Ed Sanders , Terence Frisch , Max Cane , Frank Bourke , Stephen Box , Ben Addis , Robert Gill

Throughout his extraordinary career, Academy Award-wining director Martin Scorsese has brought his unique vision and dazzling gifts to life in a series of unforgettable films. This holiday season the ... read more read more...legendary storyteller invites you to join him on a thrilling journey to a magical world with his first-ever 3-D film, based on Brian Selznick's award-winning, imaginative New York Times best-seller, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." Hugo is the astonishing adventure of a wily and resourceful boy whose quest to unlock a secret left to him by his father will transform Hugo and all those around him, and reveal a safe and loving place he can call home. -- (C) Paramount

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PG, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: November 23, 2011

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DVD Release Date: February 28, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (7,894)

  • katykern8261
    May 22, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed by Martin Scorsese, GK Films, 2011. Starring Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Lee, Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Kingsley.

    Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family.

    Question: What gives you purpose and makes you feel like you fit into the world? Well, we all have some... read morething, at least we should. Think about it.

    This is the message at the heart of Hugo and I think a pretty darn good one. It shouldn't matter if you are 12 or 72 years-old, we all need to feel like we belong, someplace where we know we serve a purpose or what's the meaning of it all, really? Yes, it's a pretty deep, philosophical thought for a movie that I thought was geared to kids primarily. However, my kids enjoyed the movie and I hope somewhere deep inside they understood what the movie was trying to convey.

    The story begins with a boy, an orphan, who lives in a train station in Paris in the 1930's. You find out why he is there with a few flashbacks but really the story revolves around another story line which is revealed much later in the film. The boy's name is Hugo and his adventure is to find his purpose or to make sure his purpose is real, but how he goes about that will remain a mystery in this review.

    There was a great surprise, well for me at least, as Hugo's story unfolded. I really want to say more but, as usual, don't want to spoil it for you. However, on the whole I found the storytelling to be a bit on the dull side. Not sure what happened with it but Hugo ran slow. Even with the part of the story line I really liked, it didn't suck me in as I think it could have.

    The movie was in 3D and the beginning was absolutely stunning with its effects. When the adventure part of this story was front and center the 3D was awesome. However, the majority of the movie was more of a drama and the 3D lost its luster; and soon I found it annoying to have to wear the glasses. I am not a huge fan of 3D movies, by the way, so for you fans out there I am positive you will enjoy that part of the movie.

    On a bright note: The boy who played Hugo was delightful, and he has the bluest eyes I have ever seen on a human being. I almost think they may have been digitally enhanced. Anyway, he did a great job on the whole, even though there were parts where the film-makers showed children behaving more like adults than children, and that happened here. I still think he did a good job as the lead character of a Scorsese film.

    Most children should enjoy this film and I recommend you take them to see Hugo. For adults, sadly, this was not one of Scorsese greatest films.

    My favorite part: The discovery of the message in the film. There is this great scene on a Paris bridge with Notre Dame in the background between the 2 children. A great line was spoken by Hugo. A great line!

    My least favorite: Sacha Baron Cohen, I am afraid to say. His character was too much of a caricature for me.

    Rating: PG
    Length: 127 minutes

    Review: 6 out of 10
  • cosmo313
    May 20, 2012
    cosmo313
    This was not only Martin Scorsese's first PG rated film in about two decades, but also his first family film, and first time making a movie in 3D. It's an adaptation of a children's book, and this was an interesting project whe nit was first announced. Thankfully, the results are... read more something truly magnificent, kinda like when David Lynch tried something new (The Straight Story) as opposed to being a failure like Francis Ford Coppola's change of pace disaster, Jack.

    Set in 1920s Paris, Hugo tells the story of an orphan named Hugo Cabret who lives in a train station and makes sure all the clocks are running properly. He goes on a quest to uncover what he thinks is a special message from his late father, but instead finds himself helping an old man come to terms with his past, with the man happening to be film legend Georges Melies.

    Since the film is ultimately a love letter to classic cinema, it makes this project not seem so odd or alien for Scorsese. Yeah, it shows him branching out, but at the same time still staying somewhat in his comfort zone, at least as far as some of the material is concerned. It's also a love letter to the handcrafted, and the days when "movie magic" was just that.

    I loved this film. I didn't happen to see it in 3D, but I could just tell that it was probably used as it should be, and used very well at that. Scorsese isn't the type of guy to tinker with something just for the heck of it. If he does something, it's usually not for some sort of stupid ploy or gimmick.

    This was all very charming, fun, and innocent, and, even though there is some substance, it did leave me feeling perhas somewhat slighted, and just a tad underwhelmed. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen really played up the comical side of his character. Not that that's completely a bad thing, but I was hoping that for once he would just play a character completely straight, and really go full on menacing and/or serious. That said, he still did a decent job, even if it was nothing new for him.

    Those are really my only complaints here, and they're not even really big ones. This is a magical and wonderful film. It looks great, the cast (aside from Cohen) are all great, and it's nice seeing Marty change it up (and do it well).

    If you love heartwarming stories, classic cinema (as in early 20th Century), and Martin Scorsese, then this should be a must see for you.
  • fb1576983399
    May 11, 2012
    fb1576983399
    Although I didn't care much for the story, Hugo pays tribute to early filmmakers and cinema altogether, which is a very nice feature of this film. The biggest appeal, however, is the great directing by Scorsese and great cinematography. And not to be overshadowed: Cohen, Kingsley... read more, Moretz and Butterfield turn in fine performances.
  • CloudStrife84
    May 9, 2012
    CloudStrife84
    Fabulously directed and infused with great magic, Hugo certainly files under above-average fantasy fare. I can't say I fully concur with the overwhelming critical acclaim, but it's a pleasant journey to take with an amazingly rich visual pizazz. Martin Scorsese may be a st... read moreranger to this family-friendly genre, but he's certainly no weaker for it, as he plays his new instrument like he's never done anything else. Apart from the endearing leads played by Asa Butterfield and Chloë Grace Moretz, I also took a great liking to the wonderful supporting cast. Sacha Baron Cohen is a little more downplayed than usual (no green mankinis this time around), but quite memorable nevertheless as the tenacious station inspector Gustav. As can be said for Sir Ben Kingsley, who brings a lot of passion to his character, as the old toy-maker Georges Méliès. Not to mention the brief, but excellent performances by Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Emily Mortimer and Jude Law. Sadly, not everything runs like clockwork though. While the film is enjoyable all the way, the progression of the plot sometimes drags and loses momentum, which is one of the reasons why I can't allow myself to give it a higher rating than I have. It also feels a tad outstretched and would have done good in leaving out some of the less essential scenes. Another thing I wasn't too excited about is the blue & orange color palettes. It's become a common trend in Hollywood these days to apply these sort of "mood-setting" touches, but personally I think it just serves to diminish the visual impact. An enchanting and painstakingly crafted piece of film-making nevertheless though, that if anything shows that Scorsese haven't lost any of his flairs for heartfelt story-telling. My only regret is that I never saw it in the cinema, as I'm sure the neat 3D-elements would have added a lot to the experience.
  • Stickykk
    May 2, 2012
    Stickykk
    Grade: A (95%)

    I began watching this film only with the knowledge that Martin Scorsese directed it and it was nominated for Best Picture. I did not know what the plot was about, didn't know who was in it, all I knew was that this was going to be a different type of Scorsese film... read more. Since he is known for his bloody gangster films (Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed), I knew "Hugo" would be different when I saw the PG rating. Not only is this Scorsese's first kids film, it is also a masterpiece.

    Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) lives in a train station in Paris where he was taught to wind the clocks before his drunk Uncle decided to leave him. During the rest of the day, he steals from Georges (Ben Kingsley) a store owner in the train station. He uses the small pieces within these items to try to rebuild a mechanical person that is able to write when you activate it. His quest is to unlock the secret within the machines writing that his father (Jude Law) has left behind.

    Hugo is an orphan who is running and sneaking away from the Station Inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen) who wants to send him to an orphanage. His father died accidentally in a museum which pushes Hugo into finishing the mechanical person that his father left behind unfinished.

    Throughout his travels and problems, he meets a new friend Isabelle (Chloe Moretz), the goddaughter of Georges, who tries to help Hugo unlock the secret message in the machine.

    The whole story doesn't just follow Hugo and Isabelle trying to complete this machine; in fact, it's completed way before the halfway point of the film. The story is about what happens after Hugo finds the secret message and how it leads to a better life for the orphan boy.

    There aren't any action sequences worth remembering in this film and that is not a bad thing at all. The real enjoyment comes from the story and characters themselves. It's all about a kid trying to hold on to his father by completing this machine as well as letting go of the past and moving forward to a new life. This is where "Hugo" shines as a true modern kid's film. These days, you need CGI action and dinosaurs and violence to keep kids interested; "Hugo" doesn't use any of that. The world that Scorsese makes uses CGI to represent backgrounds but there are no extinct animals, no creepy creatures and no bullets are flying over the characters' heads. "Hugo" is a family friendly film about a orphan trying to find new life in a world that has been stressful for him.

    "Hugo" is Martin Scorsese's masterpiece. It is kid friendly and it brings a new feeling that movies are missing. There is no need for action in "Hugo". I love Scorsese's previous films and I was a little skeptical before watching the film. But if you haven't seen this film and love Scorsese's work, this is a must see. There is no violence but all you have to do is trust Scorsese and you will absolutely love this film.
  • fb1672039553
    April 11, 2012
    fb1672039553
    This is like a live-action version of a Hayao Miyazaki film, full of both loveable, human characters and the playful exploration of relationships. In fact, Studio Ghibli's latest U.S. release, "The Secret World of Arrietty," shares in nearly all of the main themes. But that the f... read moreantasy in Hugo is beautifully tied into the non-fictional birth of cinema is what makes this movie an unforgettable work.
  • Saxia
    April 3, 2012
    Saxia
    I love the story Scorsese tells us. A family film with an educational value.
    The acting style is just like in Shutter Island a little theatrical, but after a while it didn't bother me as much anymore. Ben Kingsley is lovely,..
  • aquateen2
    March 31, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    Hugo really stretched itself out, much longer than it needed to for development of character. It doesn't provide that much action but this is still so much better than other kids films. It has plenty of ... read morelaughs and adventure and the most remarkable trait of all, being a unique fantasy that's actually not that predictable and stylishly enigmatic.
  • danperry17
    March 20, 2012
    danperry17
    Full review coming soon.
  • flixsterman
    March 17, 2012
    flixsterman
    Ever so slightly over-hyped but whimsical and imaginative enough to be well worth your time.

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Critic Reviews

Christy Lemire
January 3, 2012
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

Being a hardcore cinephile (like Scorsese) might add a layer of enjoyment, but it certainly isn't a prerequisite for walking in the door. A sense of wonder, however, is. Full Review

J. R. Jones
December 1, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Scorsese transforms this innocent tale into an ardent love letter to the cinema and a moving plea for film preservation. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 30, 2011
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

'Hugo': Scorsese's humbling hommage to his favorite art Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
November 28, 2011
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Thematic potency and cinematic virtuosity -- the production was designed by Dante Ferretti and photographed by Robert Richardson -- can't conceal a deadly inertness at the film's core. Full Review

David Edelstein
November 28, 2011
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

For all the wizardry on display, Hugo often feels like a film about magic instead of a magical film... Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
November 24, 2011
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

I have seen the future of 3-D moviemaking, and it belongs to Martin Scorsese, unlikely as that may sound. Full Review

James Berardinelli
November 24, 2011
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It's a fairy tale for mature viewers, but the airy exterior hides emotional depth. Full Review

Richard Roeper
November 23, 2011
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

One of the most magical viewing experiences of the decade so far. Full Review

Glenn Kenny
November 23, 2011
Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies

Aside from being one of Scorsese's most personal films, it's also one of the least cynical films of this or any other year. Full Review

Peter Rainer
November 23, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

Hugo is a mixed bag but one well worth rummaging through. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Isabelle: I wonder what my purpose is.
    • Hugo Cabret: Everything has a purpose, clocks tell you the time, trains takes you to places.
    • Georges Méliès: I trusted you. And this is how you pay me. You're cruel. You're cruel.
    • Isabelle: We can get into a trouble.
    • Hugo Cabret: That's how you know it's an adventure.
    • Station inspector: Seems Maximilian doesn't like the cut of your jib, little man. He is disturbed by your physiognomy. He is upset by your visage. Why would he not like your face, eh?
    • Hugo Cabret: I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured if the entire world was one big machine... I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason.
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Hugo Trivia

  • Who tried to persuade his daughter to stay immortal, rose a vendetta, shot his own photo repeatedly to prove his existence and waged war against Neo?  Answer »
  • What movie starred the amazing talents of Hugo Weaving, Terence Stamp and Guy Pearce?  Answer »
  • Which actor stars in all of the following films? The Matrix Trilogy The Lord of The Rings Trilogy V for Vendetta  Answer »
  • He has played both a diabolical agent in the Matrix and a drag queen in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Who is he?  Answer »
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